EC extends Presidential, Parliamentary Nominations to October

By Francis Lubega

25^th Feb 2020

The Electoral Commission has revised the dates for the nominations of the Presidential and Parliamentary candidates from August to October 2020

The nomination dates for Presidential candidates have been shifted from between August 12^th and 20^th 2020 to October 1^st and 2^nd, yet for parliamentary candidates from August 20^th to October 7^th and 8^th this year.

The Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama announced the changes during a meeting with the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on Tuesday at Parliament following a request from the same meeting last week that proposed adjustments in the 2021 general elections road map on ground that the long campaign period has financial implications on the candidates.

Nominations for the last 2016 general elections were held between September and November 2015.

Following the revision, the Committee Chairperson Jacob Oboth said that the new adjustment in the nomination dates is welcome and sensitive to the stakeholders since the long campaign period would paralyze government business.

The EC is mandated by the Constitution to design and publicize a roadmap to guide all stakeholders in the preparation for the general election and it’s required to hold presidential, parliamentary and local government council elections within the first 30 days of the last 112 days before the expiry of the term of office.

The current term of office for the President, Parliament and Local Government Councils will expire on May 12, 2021.

Now, according to EC, campaigns are scheduled kick off immediately after the nomination exercise and close on January 8, 2021 yet Polling days for the 2021 general elections are scheduled between January 10 and February 8, 2021.

EC has insisted it will not extend the voters registration exercise as requested by Parliament’s Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.